Too (two) much of a good thing?
Too (two) much of a good thing?
A top goalkeeper can make a huge difference to any team and can be that missing link to success. Look at Allison and his direct part of the Liverpool massive improvement. So we at Arsenal find ourselves blessed with two top goalkeepers it seems now.
Martinez and Leno
Martinez although having been with us for past 10 years was always on loan and never had a chance to prove himself. Let's just say he's proved himself and more. His confidence and poise under pressure are top. He handles the ball at his feet more like a midfielder than a goalkeeper and gives the back line extra confidence which let's face it they need as much as possible.
Leno we recently bought in 2018 from Bayer Leverkusen and he has done quite well up to his rather serious injury. Very consistent and saved us in many a match. In today's play out from the back style he can be a bit shaky sometimes. Otherwise as a shot stopper he is top quality.
So where is the problem?
Martinez has waited a long time and has said if he isn't starting at Arsenal he wants to move on. As in being sold to another team. He wants playing time to improve his standing on the Argentina National Team. Fair enough. At 27 he's paid his dues and his quality has been shown.
Leno, when fully fit and recovered from injury very well will want his starting role back. Surely he didn't sign for Arsenal to be a back up keeper. Arteta's in for another difficult decision.
What would you do?
I'd try to keep both if possible and continue starting Martinez as long as he continues impressing with his current form. Leno is a top keeper but considering Arteta seems to want to employ playing out from the back, attracting the pressure counter-attack football especially against the bigger teams, then Martinez is favored.
Feel free to comment! Thanks for reading and feel free to upvote and reblog! Oh and check out The Wire if you don't know who Marlo Stansfield is from the "good problems" quote. Absolutely one of the top TV shows of all time in my opinion.
And
I'd keep both and rotate them. One in the league and one in cup games. Martinez is very good with short passes and ball retention but his long range passes are terrible. His short passes and confidence with the ball was essential to how we built from the back in most games.
It's a good plan, But Martinez said start me or sell me. Do you think Leno will be ok with playing Europa and cup matches?